Soak up the diverse pub culture downstairs or nip upstairs for fancier session of cocktails and tapas on the balcony.
A peculiar mix of stiff-collared suits, preening pretties and resident oddballs can be found downing bevvies at this busy local. Set on buzzing Crown Street, the Clock Hotel caters to the ever-diverse Surry Hills crowd, with its laidback street bar, funky pool bar and swish cocktail lounge upstairs.
In the main bar, 14 beers flow on tap, including Stella Artois, Carlton Draught, Asahi and Pure Blonde. Swarms of barflies fill the booths and funky lounge tunes fill the room.
A generous happy hour flows from 5pm to 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, serving up $3.50 schooners and $4.50 house spirits. Meanwhile guests can walk away with free drinks on Thursdays, provided that they roll a lucky double on the dice at the bar.
To escape the pub buzz of the street bar, head upstairs for a slice of cocktail heaven. Secure a spot on the popular balcony (if you can find a free perch) and order up a Clock Martini: it shakes Bombay Sapphire gin together with raspberry and vanilla liqueur, fresh lime, apple and a hint of cranberry.
Tasty tapas are also served. Rock up on Tuesdays for half-price plates and order the oysters Kilpatrick or the mushroom and parmesan arancini balls.
Victoria Brooks
